Multi-camera pipe inspection apparatus, systems and methods

ABSTRACT

A camera head for inspecting pipes or cavities including an array of two or more imaging elements with overlapping Fields of View (FOV) is disclosed. The camera head may include one or more light source elements, such as LEDs, for providing illumination in dimly lit inspection sites, such as the interior of underground pipes. The imaging elements and LEDs may be used in conjunction with a remote display device, such as an LCD panel of a camera control unit (CCU) or monitor in proximity to an operator, to display the interior of a pipe or other cavity.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to co-pendingU.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/778,085, filed on Mar.12, 2013, entitled MULTI-CAMERA PIPE INSPECTION APPARATUS, SYSTEMS ANDMETHODS, and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/657,721,filed on Jun. 8, 2012, entitled MULTI-CAMERA PIPE INSPECTION APPARATUS,SYSTEMS AND METHODS. The content of each of these applications isincorporated by referenece herein in its entirety for all purposes.

FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to apparatus, systems, and methods forvisually inspecting the interior of pipes and other conduits or voids.More specifically, but not exclusively, the disclosure relates toapparatus and systems for providing images or video of the inside of apipe based on data received from a plurality of imaging sensors.

BACKGROUND

Pipes are often prone to obstructions through a variety of mechanical,structural, and/or environmental factors, such as, for example, invasionby tree roots and/or other vegetation, build-up and corrosion, as wellas other blockages. Various devices and methods for visualizing theinterior of a pipe are known in the art. Current pipe inspection systemstypically include a single imaging element coupled to the end of apush-cable to inspect the interior of pipes, conduits, and other voids.The images acquired during the pipe inspection are then viewed on adisplay device. However, current systems are limited in their ability toprovide sufficient imaging and other data to the user, as well as tocover wide fields of view.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art to address the above-describedproblems, as well as other problems.

SUMMARY

This disclosure relates generally to apparatus, systems, and methods forvisually inspecting the interior of pipes and other conduits or voids.More specifically, but not exclusively, the disclosure relates toapparatus and systems for providing images or video of the inside of apipe based on data received from a plurality of imaging sensors.

For example, in one aspect, the disclosure relates to a camera headincluding an array of two or more imaging elements with overlappingFields of View (FOV). The camera head may be fixedly or removablycoupled to the end of a push-cable to allow inspect the interior of apipe, conduit, and the like by being pushed into the pipe. The camerahead may include one or more light source elements, such as LEDs forproviding illumination in dimly lit inspection sites, such as theinterior of underground pipes. The imaging elements and LEDs may be usedin conjunction with a remote display device, such as an LCD panel ormonitor in proximity to an operator, to display the interior of a pipeor other cavity. The display device may be part of a camera controllerdevice or other display or data storage device, such as a notebookcomputer, tablet, smart phone, and the like.

In another aspect, the imaging elements and light source elements may beautomatically controlled and/or manually controlled by the operator. Forexample, automatic control may be used to provide an image or videosignal from one or more of the imaging elements based on an orientationof the camera within the pipe or cavity. Control signals may be providedfrom an orientation sensor such as an accelerometer or other orientationsensor. Manual control may be used to allow an operator to select one ormore of the imaging elements and/or one or more of the LEDs for viewingthe interior of the pipe or other cavity, such as by a switch, button,or other user input mechanism. The LEDs may be individually controlled,such as turning one or more LEDs on or off to reduce heat in the camerahead. The LEDs may additionally be used individually to provide variousshadow patterns, which may be useful for diagnosing an inspection area.Images or video acquired from the imaging elements may be processed toprovide a 3-dimensional view of the interior of the pipe or othercavity. Images or video may be captured from multiple imaging sensorsand processed in an electronic circuit of a camera apparatus, such aswithin a camera head, to generate an output signal including outputimages or video based on imaging data received from a plurality of theimaging sensors. The output signal may include a digitally synthesizedarticulation of the camera head based on data received by the pluralityof imaging sensors.

In another aspect, the disclosure relates to image processing methodsused in a multi-camera pipe inspection system. Such methods may include,for example, generating a new image based on the information acquiredsimultaneously by each of the imaging elements. Such methods mayinclude, for example, building a memory map based on a model of the pipeinspected. The memory map may be, for example, fixed or morphable, withrespect to the size of the pipe.

In another aspect, the disclosure relates to a camera apparatus for ininspection operations such as inspecting piping or other cavities. Theapparatus may include, for example, a camera head assembly. The camerahead assembly may include a housing. The camera head assembly mayinclude a plurality of imaging sensors disposed on or within thehousing. The camera head assembly may include one or more electroniccircuits for receiving image or video signals from one or more of theimaging sensors and generating an output signal. The camera head mayinclude a communications circuit for sending the output signal to adisplay device or other coupled device.

In another aspect, the disclosure relates to a pipe inspection system.The pipe inspection system may include, for example, a push-cable. Thepipe inspection system may further include a camera head assemblycoupled to the push-cable. The camera head assembly may include ahousing, a plurality of imaging sensors disposed in the housing, anelectronic circuit for receiving image or video signals from one or moreof the imaging sensors and generating an output signal, and acommunications circuit for sending the output signal to a coupleddevice. The pipe inspection system may further include a camera controlunit (CCU) coupled to the push-cable as the coupled device. The CCU mayinclude a user interface device for controlling digital articulation ofthe camera head. The CCU may further include a display for providing avisual display based on a plurality of images or video stream capturedby the imaging sensor or based on a plurality of images or video streamscaptured by ones of the plurality of image sensors. The coupled devicemay be a tablet, notebook computer, or cellular phone or electronicdevice. The coupled device may be coupled to the camera head via a wiredconnection, such as USB or other serial connection, Ethernet connection,or other wired connection. The coupled device may be coupled to thecamera head via a wireless connection. The wireless connection may be aWi-Fi connection or other wireless local area network connection.

In another aspect, the disclosure relates to a method for inspecting apipe. The method may include, for example, capturing, in a first imagesensor disposed in a camera head, a first image and capturing, in asecond image sensor disposed in the camera head, a second image. Thefield of view (FOV) of the first image sensor may overlap the field ofview of the second image sensor. The method may further includegenerating, such as in a processing element in the camera head or otherdevice or system, based on the first image and the second image, anoutput image or signal corresponding to a digital articulation of thecamera head. The output image or signal may be one or more images or avideo stream. The output image may be based at least in part on thefirst image and the second image. The output image may be further basedon one or more additional images from one or more of a plurality ofimage sensors in the camera head. The one or both of the first image andthe second image may be adjusted to correct for optical distortion,noise, color, contrast, or other distortions or characteristics. Theoutput image may include a portion of the first image and a portion ofthe second image that may be combined or stitched with the portion ofthe first image.

In another aspect, the disclosure relates to one or more computerreadable media including non-transitory instructions for causing acomputer to perform the above-described methods and/or system or devicefunctions, in whole or in part.

In another aspect, the disclosure relates to apparatus and systems forimplementing the above-described methods and/or system or devicefunctions, in whole or in part.

In another aspect, the disclosure relates to means for implementing theabove-described methods and/or system or device functions, in whole orin part.

Various additional aspects, features, and functionality are furtherdescribed below in conjunction with the appended Drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure may be more fully appreciated in connection withthe following detailed description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates details of a pipe inspection system configured with amulti-imager camera head;

FIG. 2 illustrates details of an embodiment of a multi-imager camerahead;

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the multi-imager camera headembodiment of FIG. 2, illustrating overlapping fields of view fromadjacent imagers;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the multi-imager camera headembodiment of FIG. 2, illustrating overlapping fields of view fromadjacent imagers;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating details of an embodiment of amulti-imager pipe inspection system;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating details of an embodiment of amulti-imager pipe inspection system;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating processing details an embodiment of amulti-imager pipe inspection system;

FIG. 8 illustrates an example processing sequence for generating adigitally articulated output image sequence or video signal; and

FIG. 9 illustrates an example imaging sensor packaging embodiment in acamera head assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Overview

This disclosure relates generally to apparatus, systems, and methods forvisually inspecting the interior of pipes and other conduits or voids.More specifically, but not exclusively, the disclosure relates toapparatus and systems for providing images or video of the inside of apipe based on data received from a plurality of imaging sensors.

For example, in one aspect, the disclosure relates to a camera headincluding an array of two or more imaging elements with overlappingFields of View (FOV). The camera head may be fixedly or removablycoupled to the end of a push-cable to allow inspect the interior of apipe, conduit, and the like by being pushed into the pipe. The camerahead may include one or more light source elements, such as LEDs forproviding illumination in dimly lit inspection sites, such as theinterior of underground pipes. The imaging elements and LEDs may be usedin conjunction with a remote display device, such as an LCD panel ormonitor in proximity to an operator, to display the interior of a pipeor other cavity. The display device may be part of a camera controllerdevice or other display or data storage device, such as a notebookcomputer, tablet, smart phone, and the like.

In another aspect, the imaging elements and light source elements may beautomatically controlled and/or manually controlled by the operator. Forexample, automatic control may be used to provide an image or videosignal from one or more of the imaging elements based on an orientationof the camera within the pipe or cavity. Control signals may be providedfrom an orientation sensor such as an accelerometer or other orientationsensor. Manual control may be used to allow an operator to select one ormore of the imaging elements and/or one or more of the LEDs for viewingthe interior of the pipe or other cavity, such as by a switch, button,or other user input mechanism. The LEDs may be individually controlled,such as turning one or more LEDs on or off to reduce heat in the camerahead. The LEDs may additionally be used individually to provide variousshadow patterns, which may be useful for diagnosing an inspection area.Images or video acquired from the imaging elements may be processed toprovide a 3-dimensional view of the interior of the pipe or othercavity. Images or video may be captured from multiple imaging sensorsand processed in an electronic circuit of a camera apparatus, such aswithin a camera head, to generate an output signal including outputimages or video based on imaging data received from a plurality of theimaging sensors. The output signal may include a digitally synthesizedarticulation of the camera head based on data received by the pluralityof imaging sensors.

In another aspect, the disclosure relates to image processing methodsused in a multi-camera pipe inspection system. Such methods may include,for example, generating a new image based on the information acquiredsimultaneously by each of the imaging elements. Such methods mayinclude, for example, building a memory map based on a model of the pipeinspected. The memory map may be, for example, fixed or morphable, withrespect to the size of the pipe.

In another aspect, the disclosure relates to a camera apparatus for ininspection operations such as inspecting piping or other cavities. Theapparatus may include, for example, a camera head assembly. The camerahead assembly may include a housing. The camera head assembly mayinclude a plurality of imaging sensors disposed on or within thehousing. The camera head assembly may include one or more electroniccircuits for receiving image or video signals from one or more of theimaging sensors and generating an output signal. The camera head mayinclude a communications circuit for sending the output signal to adisplay device or other coupled device.

The imaging sensors may, for example, be disposed on or within thehousing so as to provide overlapping fields of view (FOV). Theelectronic circuit may include one or more processing elements or otherprogrammable circuits for generating the output signal as a composite oftwo or more images or a video stream based on signals provided by two ormore of the imaging sensors. The output signal may include a pluralityof image frames or a video stream corresponding to a digitally simulatedarticulation of the camera head across a field of view seen by two ormore of the imaging sensors. The digitally simulated articulation may beautomatically performed or may be performed in response to anarticulation control signal provided by a camera control unit (CCU) orother communicatively coupled device or system.

The camera apparatus may, for example, further comprising one or morelighting elements disposed on or within the housing. The lightingelements may be LEDs or other lighting devices.

The camera apparatus may further include one or more orientation orposition sensors disposed on or within the housing. The one or moreorientation or position sensors may be coupled to the electronic circuitto provide information regarding an orientation of the camera apparatus.The output signal may be based in part on the provided orientationinformation. The orientation sensors may be one or more of a compasssensor, a gyroscopic sensor, and an accelerometer. The sensors may besingle axis or multi-axis sensors, such as two or three-axis sensors.The camera apparatus may further include one or more acoustic sensors,such as microphones or other acoustic sensors, disposed in the housing.The camera apparatus may further include one or more temperature sensorsdisposed in the housing. Information from the sensors may be combined,displayed, and/or stored in a memory in association with the images orvideo stream.

The output image may, for example, be based at least in part on a firstimage provided from a first image sensor of the plurality of imagesensors and a second image provided by a second image sensor of theplurality of image sensors. One or both of the first image and thesecond image may be adjusted to correct for optical distortion, noise,color, contrast, or other characteristics or distortions. The outputimage may include a portion of the first image and a portion of thesecond image stitched with the portion of the first image. The outputimage may include portions of additional images stitched together withthe first and/or second image.

The output signal may, for example, be generated based in part on adigital articulation control signal received at the camera head. Thedigital articulation control signal may be provided from a cameracontrol unit (CCU) or other communicatively coupled device such as anotebook computer, cellular phone, tablet, or other electronic computingdevice. The output signal may comprise a plurality of images or a videostream corresponding to a digital articulation of the camera head. Theoutput signal may be combined with or integrated with sensor data. Thedigital articulation may be implemented automatically and/or in responseto a digital articulation control signal received from a a cameracontrol unit (CCU) or other communicatively coupled device such as anotebook computer, cellular phone, tablet, or other electronic computingdevice.

In another aspect, the disclosure relates to a pipe inspection system.The pipe inspection system may include, for example, a push-cable. Thepipe inspection system may further include a camera head assemblycoupled to the push-cable. The camera head assembly may include ahousing, a plurality of imaging sensors disposed in the housing, anelectronic circuit for receiving image or video signals from one or moreof the imaging sensors and generating an output signal, and acommunications circuit for sending the output signal to a coupleddevice. The pipe inspection system may further include a camera controlunit (CCU) coupled to the push-cable as the coupled device. The CCU mayinclude a user interface device for controlling digital articulation ofthe camera head. The CCU may further include a display for providing avisual display based on a plurality of images or video stream capturedby the imaging sensor or based on a plurality of images or video streamscaptured by ones of the plurality of image sensors. The coupled devicemay be a tablet, notebook computer, or cellular phone or electronicdevice. The coupled device may be coupled to the camera head via a wiredconnection, such as USB or other serial connection, Ethernet connection,or other wired connection. The coupled device may be coupled to thecamera head via a wireless connection. The wireless connection may be aWi-Fi connection or other wireless local area network connection.

In another aspect, the disclosure relates to a method for inspecting apipe. The method may include, for example, capturing, in a first imagesensor disposed in a camera head, a first image and capturing, in asecond image sensor disposed in the camera head, a second image. Thefield of view (FOV) of the first image sensor may overlap the field ofview of the second image sensor. The method may further includegenerating, such as in a processing element in the camera head or otherdevice or system, based on the first image and the second image, anoutput image or signal corresponding to a digital articulation of thecamera head. The output image or signal may be one or more images or avideo stream. The output image may be based at least in part on thefirst image and the second image. The output image may be further basedon one or more additional images from one or more of a plurality ofimage sensors in the camera head. The one or both of the first image andthe second image may be adjusted to correct for optical distortion,noise, color, contrast, or other distortions or characteristics. Theoutput image may include a portion of the first image and a portion ofthe second image that may be combined or stitched with the portion ofthe first image.

The method may, for example, further include generating a plurality ofoutput image frames corresponding to a digitally simulated articulationof the camera head across a field of view seen by two or more of theimage sensors. The method may further include providing a controlledlighting output from one or more lighting elements. The lightingelements may be LEDs or other lighting devices.

The method may, for example, further include providing orientationsignals from one or more orientation sensors regarding an orientation ofthe camera apparatus and generating the output image or signal based atleast in part on the orientation signals. The orientation sensors mayinclude one or more of a compass sensor, a gyroscopic sensor, and anaccelerometer.

The method may, for example, further include providing an acousticsignal from one or more acoustic sensors. The acoustic signal may be anaudible or ultrasonic or infrasonic acoustic signal. The method mayfurther include providing temperate, pressure, and/or humidity signalsfrom one or sensors. The sensor signals may be combined, stored,displayed, and/or transmitted with the images or video stream.

In another aspect, the disclosure relates to one or more computerreadable media including non-transitory instructions for causing acomputer to perform the above-described methods and/or system or devicefunctions, in whole or in part.

In another aspect, the disclosure relates to apparatus and systems forimplementing the above-described methods and/or system or devicefunctions, in whole or in part.

In another aspect, the disclosure relates to means for implementing theabove-described methods and/or system or device functions, in whole orin part.

Various additional aspects, features, and functionality are furtherdescribed below in conjunction with the appended Drawings.

It is noted that as used herein, the term, “exemplary” means “serving asan example, instance, or illustration.” Any aspect, detail, function,implementation, and/or embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is notnecessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over otheraspects and/or embodiments.

Various aspects of a multi-imager pipe inspection system, apparatus,devices, configurations, and methods that may be used in conjunctionwith embodiments of the disclosure herein are described in co-assignedpatents and patent applications including U.S. Pat. No. 5,939,679, filedFeb. 9, 1998, entitled Video Push Cable, U.S. Pat. No. 6,545,704, filedJul. 7, 1999, entitled Video Pipe Inspection Distance Measuring System,U.S. Pat. No. 6,958,767, filed Jan. 31, 2002, entitled Video PipeInspection System Employing Non-Rotating Cable Storage Drum, U.S. Pat.No. 6,862,945, filed Oct. 22, 2002, entitled Camera Guide for Video PipeInspection System, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/858,628, filedJun. 1, 2004, entitled Self-Leveling Camera Head, U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/928,818, filed Oct. 30, 2007, entitled PipeMapping System, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/399,859, filed Mar.6, 2009, entitled Pipe Inspection System with Selective Image Capture,U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/766,742, filed Apr. 23, 2010,entitled Pipe Inspection Cable Counter and Overlay Management System,U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/371,540, filed Feb. 13, 2009,entitled Push-Cable for Pipe Inspection System, U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/704,808, filed Feb. 12, 2010, entitled Pipe InspectionSystem with Replaceable Cable Storage Drum, U.S. patent application Ser.No. 13/346,668, filed Jan. 9, 2012, entitled PORTABLE CAMERA CONTROLLERPLATFORM FOR USE WITH PIPE INSPECTION SYSTEM, U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/073,919, filed Mar. 28, 2011, entitled Pipe InspectionSystem with Jetter Push-Cable, U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/358,463, filed Jan. 25, 2012, entitled SELF-LEVELING INSPECTIONSYSTEMS AND METHODS, U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/559,107, filedNov. 13, 2011, entitled PORTABLE PIPE INSPECTION SYSTEMS AND APPARATUS,U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/592,524, filed Jan. 30, 2012,entitled ADJUSTABLE VARIABLE RESOLUTION INSPECTION SYSTEMS AND METHODS,U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/602,065, filed Feb. 22, 2012,entitled DOCKABLE TRIPODAL CAMERA CONTROL UNIT, U.S. Patent ApplicationSer. No. 61/602,527, filed Feb. 23, 2012, entitled DOCKABLE TRIPODALCAMERA CONTROL UNIT, U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/602,063, filedFeb. 22, 2012, entitled THERMAL EXTRACTION ARCHITECTURE CAMERA HEADS &INSPECTION SYSTEMS, U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/654,713, filedJun. 1, 2012, entitled SYSTEMS AND METHODS INVOLVING A SMART CABLESTORAGE DRUM AND NETWORK NODE FOR TRANSMISSION OF DATA, and U.S. PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/641,254, filed May 1, 2012, entitled HIGHBANDWIDTH PUSH-CABLES FOR VIDEO PIPE INSPECTION SYSTEMS. The content ofeach of these applications is hereby incorporated by reference herein inits entirety for all purposes.

Referring to FIG. 1, an example pipe inspection system 100, on whichembodiments of the various aspects of the disclosure may be implemented,is illustrated. Pipe inspection system 100 may include an inspectionassembly 110 coupled to the end of a push cable 106, which may be storedand fed into a conduit, such as pipe 105, from a reel 102. Reel 102 maybe connected to an image display device 104 via a physical cable orwireless link.

Pipe inspection assembly 110 may include a camera apparatus including acamera head assembly 120, which may include one or more sensors forproviding sensor data signals corresponding to one or more conditions ofthe camera head inside pipe 115, as well as analog or digital electroniccircuits, optics, processing elements, and the like. For example, one ormore imaging sensors (imagers), such as CMOS, CCD, or other imagingsensors, may be used to image areas being viewed and provide datasignals corresponding to image or video streams captured within the pipe115, and which may be processed in a processing element and/or displaydevice to provide a visualization of the interior of the pipe as imagesor video presented on the display device 104. Display device 104 may be,for example, a camera controller or other display device, such as anotebook computer, tablet, smart phone, video monitor, and the like.

One or more orientation sensors (not shown), such as one or morethree-axis compass sensors, one or more three-axis accelerometers, oneor more three-axis gyroscopic (“gyro”) sensors, and/or one or moreinertial or other position, motion, or orientation sensors may be usedto provide data signals corresponding to the orientation of the camerahead, such as a relative up/down orientation with respect to the Earth'sgravity and/or relative to other parameters such as the Earth's magneticfield. Gyros may be particularly useful if the earth's magnetic field isdistorted by residual magnetism or adjacent ferromagnetic materials. Atemperature sensor (not shown) may provide data signals corresponding totemperature, and acoustic sensors may provide data signals correspondingto sounds or ultrasonic or subsonic signals. Other sensors, such astemperature sensors, acoustic sensors, pressure sensors, and the like,may also be used to provide data signals corresponding to environmentalor other operating conditions, such as temperature, pressure, sound,humidity, and the like.

Push-cable 106 may include electrical and/or optical conductors toprovide output data signals from the camera head 110 to the displaydevice 104 and provide electrical power to camera head assembly 120 froma power source (not shown). Push-cable 106 may be manually pushed downthe length of pipe 115 by a user or through mechanical powering via anelectrical motor or other mechanical or electromechanical apparatus.

The camera assembly 120 may further be configured with a jetter assemblyas described, for example, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/073,919,filed Mar. 28, 2011, entitled “PIPE INSPECTION SYSTEM WITH JETTERPUSH-CABLE”, to clear build-up, roots, and/or other obstructions orblockages found in pipe 105 or other cavity via high pressure.Alternately, or in addition, mechanical cutter heads or other cuttingelements may also be coupled to the push cable to facilitate clearing ofobstructions.

FIG. 2 illustrates details of a camera head assembly embodiment 220.Camera head assembly embodiment 220 may correspond with the camera headembodiment 120, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Camera head assembly 220 mayinclude a rear camera housing 222 configured with a front camera housing230. In other embodiments different numbers and/or configurations ofelements may be used to form a camera housing structure. Front camerahousing 230 may include a plurality of ports or apertures, which may beconfigured with one or more image sensors and/or one or more lightingelements. In an exemplary embodiment, one or more lighting elements,such as LEDs 236, and one or more image sensors 234 may be configured inone or more apertures in a concentric configuration. In one aspect, acentral image sensor 232 having a field of view (FOV) (not shown), maybe disposed at the front of camera head assembly 220 to provide imagesensor data signal representing an FOV image or video stream. Image orvideo signals may be sent up the push-cable for real-time viewing,storage, presentation to the user, and/or transmission to other devices.In addition, still images may be sent when the camera head stops movingand/or both during motion or when stopped. In addition, other signals orinformation, such as sensor outputs, audio signals, or other data orinformation may be provided via conductors in the push-cable to adisplay device or other device or system for storage, presentation to auser, such as an a graphical user interface (GUI), or for transmissionto other electronic computing systems or devices, such as cellularphones, tablets, notebook computers, and the like. The additionalsignals or information may be combined with the images or video streamsfor presentation to a user, such as on a display device such as an LCDpanel and the like, and/or integrated with the images or video streamsfor storage and/or transmission to other devices. Examples ofembodiments of imaging of areas being viewed and sending, displaying,storing, and transmitting corresponding images, video streams, andsensor data that may be combined in embodiments with the disclosureherein are described in, for example, co-assigned U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/754,767, filed Jan. 30, 2013, entitledADJUSTABLE VARIABLE RESOLUTION INSPECTION SYSTEMS AND METHODS, as wellas U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/774,351, filed Feb. 22, 2013,entitled DOCKABLE TRIPODAL CAMERA CONTROL UNIT. The content of each ofthese applications is incorporated by reference herein.

For example, various environmental condition sensor data or operatingenvironment or other sensor data may be sent over suitable conductors(not shown) via push cable 106. In an exemplary embodiment, orientationsensors (not shown), such as one or more gyro sensors, one or morecompass sensors, tilt sensors, and/or one or more one or moredimensional (e.g., three dimensional) accelerometer sensors (not shown)for sensing the tilt/orientation of the camera head 220 and/or motion ofthe camera head, may be used to provide data signals corresponding tosuch conditions. These signals may be used by a processing element inthe display device and/or camera head to adjust video or image data forrelative orientation of the camera head with the pipe or other cavity.For example, an accelerometer may be disposed in the camera head 220 tosense motion and direction. The sensed information may be used toprovide a top/bottom oriented output video or image signal. In addition,as soon as the camera head 220 stops moving, it may continue to displaythe center image (not shown) to the user on the screen of the displaydevice 106 or may use motion or lack of motion to trigger events such asimage capture or stoppage of capture. For example, when motion stops thecamera head 220 may start sending each image, one after another toprovide plurality of images, which may be stitched together in aprocessing element of a processing module as illustrated in systems 500(FIGS. 5) and 600 (FIG. 6), to provide a composite/panoramic image orvideo and/or a stereoscopic (3-D) image or video.

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the multi-imager camera headembodiment 220 of FIG. 2, illustrating overlapping fields of view fromadjacent imagers. Central image sensor 232 (FIG. 2) may have asubstantially vertical field of view (FOV), while image sensors 234 mayhave a substantially horizontal field of view 302. Vertical field ofview and horizontal field of views may provide one or more overlappingfields of view 306.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the multi-imager camera headembodiment 220 of FIG. 2, illustrating overlapping fields of view fromadjacent imagers. In one aspect, adjacent imager sensors 234 may providefields of view, which may overlap with the fields of view of anotherimage sensor to provide overlapping fields of view 404.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating details of an embodiment of amulti-imager pipe inspection system 500. In one aspect, various stepsand processes may be carried out in a camera head module 520 and/or in acoupled device, such as a camera control unit (CCU) (not shown). In anexemplary embodiment, camera head module 520 may include a multiplexer(MUX) or signal selector 512, which may be used to increase the amountof data that can be sent over the network within a certain amount oftime and bandwidth. For example, signal selector 512 may select andcombine one or more analog or digital input information signals, suchas, for example, image signals provided from imagers 502, 504, 506, and508, and may forward the selected or combined input into a singleoutput. In one aspect, a signal selector 512 may provide a single outputto a processing module 530, which may be disposed in camera head module520.

One or more sensors 532, such as orientation sensors, which may includeone or more gyro sensors, one or more compass sensors, and/or one ormore one or three-dimensional accelerometer sensors (not shown) forsensing the tilt/orientation of the camera head may be included to sensesuch conditions. Sensor information 532 and information stored in memory534 may be sent to the processing module such that one or more imagesmay be oriented properly and stitched together. Additional sensors, suchas temperature sensors and acoustic sensors may be used to captureadditional information, such as signals corresponding to temperature andsound, which may be later processed in the processing module 530.

Still referring to FIG. 5, the processor 530 may provide an outputsignal to a video output module 536, and the video output module 536 maysupply a video signal to an image display device 546 via a cable reel542. Cable reel 542 may include a push cable, such as push cable 106 ofFIG. 1. The image display devices may be a display of a CCU or otherdevice in communication with the camera head. Output images, video,sensor data, and/or other data or information may also be stored and/ortransmitted to other communicatively coupled devices, such as notebookcomputers, cellular phones, tablet devices, and the like.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating details of an embodiment of amulti-imager pipe inspection system 600. In one aspect various steps andprocesses may be carried out in a camera head module 620. For example,one or more image signals provided from imagers 602, 604, 606, and 608,and may put input directly into a processing module 630. One or moresensors 632, such as orientation sensors, which may include one or moregyro sensors, one or more compass sensors, and/or one or more one orthree-dimensional accelerometer sensors (not shown) for sensing thetilt/orientation of the camera head. Sensor information 632 andinformation stored in memory 634 may be sent to the processing modulesuch that one or more images may be oriented properly and stitchedtogether. Stitching of images may be done as described in, for example,U.S. Pat. No. 7,894,689, issued Feb. 22, 2011, entitled IMAGE STITCHING,U.S. Pat. No. 8,395,657, issued Mar. 12, 2013, entitled METHOD ANDSYSTEM FOR STITCHING TWO OR MORE IMAGES, U.S. Pat. No. 7,609,626, issuedNov. 17, 2009, entitled MAPPING IMAGES FROM ONE OR MORE SOURCES INTO ANIMAGE FOR DISPLAY, U.S. Pat. No. 7,317,558, issued Jan. 8, 2008,entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING MULTIPLE IMAGES, and/or fromother image combining or stitching techniques known or developed in theart. The above-described patents are incorporated by reference herein.Additional sensors, such as temperature sensors and acoustic sensors maybe used to capture additional information, such as signals correspondingto temperature and sound, which may be later processed in the processingmodule 630.

Still referring to FIG. 6, the processor 630 may provide an outputsignal to a video output module 636, and the video output module 636 maysupply a video signal to an image display device 646 via a cable reel642. Cable reel 642 may include a push cable, such as push cable 106 ofFIG. 1. The image display devices may be a display of a CCU or otherdevice in communication with the camera head. Output images, video,sensor data, and/or other data or information may also be stored and/ortransmitted to other communicatively coupled devices, such as notebookcomputers, cellular phones, tablet devices, and the like.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating processing details an embodiment of amulti-imager pipe inspection system 700. For example, an orientationsensor, such as an accelerometer, senses the orientation, and the camerahead, such as camera head 220 (FIGS. 2-4) sends images one after another(it sends a code to the CCU such that the CCU keeps displaying the onefront image). For example, camera image 1 702, camera image 2 704,camera image 3 706, and camera image N 708, may each be sent one afteranother (as code) to the CCU such that the CCU keeps displaying the onefront image.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example diagram 800 of image processing as may bedone to provide a digitally synthesized articulated movement based on aplurality of images captured by a plurality of imaging sensors in a pipeinspection camera apparatus. An image sequence as shown in FIG. 8 may beprovided in a series of images or in a video signal representing framesbased on the series of images. Control of the particular direction, zoomlevel, angle, and/or speed of the digitally articulated imaging may bedone through a user control input, such as in the form of an electronicor optical signal, provided from a camera control unit (CCU) or othercontrol mechanism.

As shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of imaging sensors (in this example,three sensors) may capture images within FOVs 810-1, 810-2, and 810-3.These FOVs will typically overlap in imaging area with respect to thepipe or cavity under inspection, except at distances extremely close tothe camera head, depending on the imaging sensor spacing and angle ofcoverage of the imaging sensors. A typical imaging sensor may cover afield of view of 90 to 120 degrees, however, more sensors may be used inembodiments with sensors covering shorter angles. Imaging sensors may bepacked within a camera head to minimize distances between sensors asdescribed subsequently herein with respect to FIG. 8.

Images may be captured by the imaging sensors and data representing allor a portion of the imaging areas (e.g., areas 810-1, 810-2, 810-3) maybe stored in a memory within the camera head and/or may be processed ina processing element either in the camera head or in another element ofthe pipe inspection system such as a display device or cameracontroller. If the image information is processed in the cameracontroller or other device of the system, the imaging data may be sentfrom the camera head to the camera controller or other device, such asthrough conductors within the push-cable.

The processing element may receive the image data corresponding to thecovered areas (e.g., 810-1, 810-2, 810-3) and may then adjust the datato correct for optical distortions, noise, or other problems, such asdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,529,424, issued May 5, 2009, entitledCORRECTION OF OPTICAL DISTORTION BY IMAGE PROCESSING, which isincorporated by reference herein, and/or by other methods known ordeveloped in the art. The aggregate image data may then be stored inmemory and/or stitched together or otherwise processed to facilitategeneration of output image or video data. The output image or video datamay represent a sequence of images 820 corresponding to a subset of thecaptured image area, which may be “moved” to correspond with the changein field of view caused by a mechanical movement of the camera head(without need for any actual mechanical movement). The particularmovement direction, speed, angle, zoom level, etc., may be provided froma user through a mouse, joystick, or other user input device.

The output sequence may be generated based on a simulated movement(e.g., panning, rotation, translation, zoom-in, zoom-out) relative tothe aggregate imaged area. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, a sequenceof images 820-1, 820-1, . . . 820-N may be generated from the datarepresenting image areas 810-1, 810-2, and 810-3 so as to simulate amechanical movement or articulation of the camera across the area shownin FIG. 8. This processing may be either with the camera head fixed inposition to generate purely digital articulation or may be done inconjunction with actual mechanical movement of the camera head togenerate a hybrid mechanical and digital articulation in someembodiments.

FIG. 9 illustrates details of an embodiment of tightly packed array 900of imaging sensor assemblies (910, 920, and 930 as shown), which mayinclude sensor chips, printed circuit boards, optics, and associatedelectronic and mechanical components. In array 900 only three imagingsensor assemblies are shown, however, in various embodiments additionalimaging sensors in various sizes and configurations may be included. Aplurality of imaging sensors may be arrayed in two or three dimensionsin an imaging sensor array within a camera head as described previouslyherein. By packing the imaging sensor in such a configuration, the FOVsof the various sensors may be brought together and overlapped to providethe various functionality described previously herein.

Digital articulation actions may be implemented in a camera controlleror other device using a mouse, joystick, or other user interface device.In an exemplary embodiment, a magnetically sensed user interface deviceas described in co-assigned applications of SeekTech, Inc., may be usedto control digital and/or mechanical articulation actions.

In some embodiments, imaging data taken from two or more imaging devicesmay be used to determine internal distances in a pipe or other cavity byidentifying features imaged on multiple sensors and usingtriangulation/trilateration to determine the distance based on knowspacing between sensors, etc. In some embodiments, LEDs or other lightemitting devices may be controlled in synchronization with the imagingsensors to control imaging functionality and to enhance signalprocessing. Multiple light illumination sources may be spaced betweenthe imaging sensors to provide more controlled lighting.

In some embodiments, internal pipe or other cavity features may bereconstructed based on received stereoscopic images of a particular areaof the pipe seen from different positions (e.g., different sensorspacing).

In various embodiments, one or more of the following functions may beimplemented alone or in combination. For example, in general,articulated imaging based on digitally generated images may provideadvantages in terms of fewer or no moving parts as would be needed formechanical articulation of a camera head and associated components.Capturing and processing overlapping area of images allows stereoimaging and 3D reconstruction of internal pipe or other cavity geometry.Providing illumination in between lenses/imaging sensors mayadvantageously provide various advantages with respect to illuminationof targeted areas as well as imaging of those areas. Use of near fieldimaging may be advantageous. In general, “Fly's Eye” multi-camerastructures are designed to operate essentially in the far field(infinity) so that the degree of overlap is a very small function ofdistance. However, internal pipe and other closed quarter cavities maybenefit in terms of overlap by using near field imaging and associatedsensor and optics configurations.

Composite images may be assembled and processed in the camera head orthe individual images may be captured locally and sent, via acommunications connection such as a wired or wireless link to a remoteprocessing device. A 3D mouse, such as described in Applicant'sco-assigned applications, may be incorporated into a camera controlleror other controlling device to control pan, tilt and zoom the compositeimages, such at by controlling digital image generation. Combiningimaging with sensors (e.g. 9 axis motion/position sensors, etc.) may beused to provide mapping functionality by associating imaged informationwith location/position information, as well as to provide a “righting”function wherein captured images or video is orientation adjusted topresent an upright view to a user and/or to store images or videos in anorientation adjusted way.

In some embodiments lighting may be strobed or otherwise controlled in astructured fashion, such as through use of spot lighting, infraredlighting, line-shaped lighting, grid lighting, circular lighting, etc.In some embodiments composite images may be captured when the camerahead stops, such as capturing based upon sensors or a cable reel counter(e.g., when cable deployment reel counts slow down or stop). Compositeimages may be used to build a 3D model of the inside of the pipe.

Various camera array configurations may be used in various embodiments.For example, most or all of a central forward-looking area may beoverlapped for mapping and/or stereoscopic, 3D processing. In someembodiments, the front camera housing can be metal with LED window. Inother embodiments the front of the housing may be clear or transparentwith camera windows. In this case, LEDs positioned internally to thehousing may provide lighting in between shining through the transparentwindow.

In one or more exemplary embodiments, the electronic functions, methodsand processes described herein and associated with imagers, processingelements, communication elements, and other pipe inspection systemcomponents may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or anycombination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions may bestored on or encoded as one or more instructions or code on acomputer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes computerstorage media. Storage media may be any available media that can beaccessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, suchcomputer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or otheroptical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storagedevices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desiredprogram code in the form of instructions or data structures and that canbe accessed by a computer. Disk and disc, as used herein, includescompact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc(DVD), floppy disk and blu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce datamagnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers.Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope ofcomputer-readable media.

As used herein, computer program products comprising computer-readablemedia including all forms of computer-readable medium except, to theextent that such media is deemed to be non-statutory, transitorypropagating signals.

It is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps or stagesin the processes and methods disclosed herein are examples of exemplaryapproaches. Based upon design preferences, it is understood that thespecific order or hierarchy of steps in the processes may be rearrangedwhile remaining within the scope of the present disclosure unless notedotherwise.

Those of skill in the art would understand that information and signals,such as video and/or audio signals or data, control signals, or othersignals or data may be represented using any of a variety of differenttechnologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands,information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referencedthroughout the above description may be represented by voltages,currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, opticalfields or particles, or any combination thereof.

Those of skill would further appreciate that the various illustrativelogical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described inconnection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented aselectronic hardware, computer software, electro-mechanical components,or combinations thereof. Whether such functionality is implemented ashardware or software depends upon the particular application and designconstraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans mayimplement the described functionality in varying ways for eachparticular application, but such implementation decisions should not beinterpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the presentdisclosure.

The various illustrative functions and circuits described in connectionwith the embodiments disclosed herein with respect to camera andlighting elements may be implemented or performed in one or moreprocessing elements of a processing module with a general purposeprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) orother programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic,discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed toperform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor maybe a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be anyconventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. Aprocessor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices,e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality ofmicroprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSPcore, or any other such configuration.

The steps or stages of a method, process or algorithm described inconnection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be embodieddirectly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, orin a combination of the two. A software module may reside in RAM memory,flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, harddisk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage mediumknown in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to theprocessor such the processor can read information from, and writeinformation to, the storage medium. In the alternative, the storagemedium may be integral to the processor. The processor and the storagemedium may reside in an ASIC. The ASIC may reside in a user terminal. Inthe alternative, the processor and the storage medium may reside asdiscrete components in a user terminal.

The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided toenable any person skilled in the art to make or use the presentdisclosure. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readilyapparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles definedherein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from thespirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is notintended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to beaccorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novelfeatures disclosed herein.

The scope of this disclosure is not intended to be limited to theaspects shown herein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistentwith the specification and drawings, wherein reference to an element inthe singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unlessspecifically so stated, but rather “one or more.” Unless specificallystated otherwise, the term “some” refers to one or more. A phrasereferring to “at least one of a list of items refers to any combinationof those items, including single members. As an example, “at least oneof: a, b, or c” is intended to cover: a; b; c; a and b; a and c; b andc; and a, b and c.

The previous description of the disclosed aspects is provided to enableany person skilled in the art to make or use the present disclosure.Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to thoseskilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may beapplied to other aspects without departing from the spirit or scope ofthe invention. Thus, the presently claimed invention is not intended tobe limited to the aspects shown herein but is to be accorded the widestscope consistent with the appended Claims and their equivalents.

We claim:
 1. A camera apparatus for inspecting piping, comprising: acamera head assembly including: a housing; a plurality of imagingsensors disposed in the housing; an electronic circuit for receivingimage or video signals from one or more of the imaging sensors andgenerating an output signal; and a communications circuit for sendingthe output signal to a display device.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the imaging sensors are disposed in the housing so as to provideoverlapping fields of view (FOV).
 3. The camera apparatus of claim 2,wherein the electronic circuit includes a processing element forgenerating the output signal as a composite of two or more imagesprovided by two or more of the imaging sensors.
 4. The camera apparatusof claim 3, wherein the output signal includes a plurality of imageframes corresponding to a digitally simulated articulation of the camerahead across a field of view seen by two or more of the imaging sensors.5. The camera apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or morelighting elements disposed on or within the housing.
 6. The cameraapparatus of claim 5, wherein the lighting elements are LEDs.
 7. Thecamera apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more orientationsensors disposed on or within the housing, wherein the one or moreorientation sensors are coupled to the electronic circuit to provideinformation regarding an orientation of the camera apparatus.
 8. Thecamera apparatus of claim 7, wherein the orientation sensors comprise ofone or more of a compass sensor, a gyroscopic sensor, and anaccelerometer.
 9. The camera apparatus of claim 1, further comprisingone or more acoustic sensors disposed in the housing.
 10. The cameraapparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more temperature sensorsdisposed in the housing.
 11. The camera apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe output image is based at least in part on a first image providedfrom a first image sensor of the plurality of image sensors and a secondimage provided by a second image sensor of the plurality of imagesensors.
 12. The camera apparatus of claim 11, wherein one or both ofthe first image and the second image are adjusted to correct for opticaldistortion.
 13. The camera apparatus of claim 11, wherein the outputimage includes a portion of the first image and a portion of the secondimage stitched with the portion of the first image.
 14. The cameraapparatus of claim 11, wherein the first image sensor and the secondimage sensor cover overlapping fields of view (FOVs).
 15. The cameraapparatus of claim 1, wherein the output signal is generated based inpart on a digital articulation control signal received at the camerahead.
 16. The camera apparatus of claim 15, wherein the digitalarticulation control signal is provided from a camera control unit (CCU)or other communicatively coupled device such as a notebook computer,cellular phone, tablet, or other electronic computing device.
 17. Thecamera apparatus of claim 1, wherein the output signal comprises aplurality of images or a video stream corresponding to a digitalarticulation of the camera head.
 18. The camera apparatus of claim 17,wherein the digital articulation is implemented in response to a digitalarticulation control signal received from a a camera control unit (CCU)or other communicatively coupled device such as a notebook computer,cellular phone, tablet, or other electronic computing device.
 19. Amethod for inspecting a pipe with a camera head, comprising: capturing,in a first image sensor disposed in a camera head, a first image;capturing, in a second image sensor disposed in the camera head, asecond image, wherein the field of view of the first image sensoroverlaps the field of view of the second image sensor; and generating,in a processing element based on the first image and the second image,an output image corresponding to a digital articulation of the camerahead.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the output image is based atleast in part on the first image and the second image.
 21. The method ofclaim 20, wherein one or both of the first image and the second imageare adjusted to correct for optical distortion.
 22. The method of claim19, wherein the output image includes a portion of the first image and aportion of the second image stitched with the portion of the firstimage.
 23. The method of claim 20, wherein the first image sensor andthe second image sensor cover overlapping fields of view (FOVs).
 24. Themethod of claim 19, further including generating a plurality of outputimage frames corresponding to a digitally simulated articulation of thecamera head across a field of view seen by two or more of the imagesensors.
 25. The method of claim 19, further comprising providingorientation signals from one or more orientation sensors regarding anorientation of the camera apparatus and generating the output imagebased at least in part on the orientation signals.
 26. The method ofclaim 25, wherein the orientation sensors comprise of one or more of acompass sensor, a gyroscopic sensor, and an accelerometer.
 27. Themethod of claim 19, further comprising providing an acoustic signal fromone or more acoustic sensors.
 28. The method of claim 19, furthercomprising providing temperate, pressure, and/or humidity signals fromone or sensors.